Rubber heel



L. KAPLAN.

RUBBER HEEL.

APPLlCATlON FILED OCT. 16. 1920.

1, 7,9g, Patented Aug. 16, 1921.

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I To all whom it may concern:

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. ie, 1921.

a lication filed October is, 1920. Serial No. 417,286.

' Be it known that T, Louis KAPLAN a citizen of the United States, residing at New ding or slipping.

of novel and improved construction, where by to afiord efficient resiliency or cushioning action, as well as effectively preventing skid- A further object is the formation of the tread'of the heel with novel ribs, for purpose at resiliency and wear, and to avoid skidlng.

Another object is the formation of notches in the sides of the heel to add to the appearance of the heel and resiliency.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will be apparent as the invention is more fully understood, the invention resides in the novel formation ofthe heel, it being understood that changes in details can be made within the scope of what is hereinafter claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a planview of the heel.

Fig. 2 is section onthe line 22 of Fig. 1.

The heel, which is molded from rubber or other equivalent material, has its tread surface concaved, as at 7, and such surface is provided thereon with the ribs '8, 9, 10, and 11, which are of U-shape, with their ends terminating adjacent to the breast or forward end of the heel, and although four ribs are shown more or less can be used. The ribs from the outer rib 8 to the inner rib 11, are disposed one within the other, in spaced relation and are of gradually diminishing width and height from the outer to the inner rib. The outer rib 8 runs close to the sides and rear end of the heel, leaving a shoulder or ledge 14 surrounding the rib 8, and the ribs 9, 10 and 11 are spaced increasing distances from the plane of the rib 8. Thus at the outset, the wear comes on the outer thick rib, and when said rib yields sufiiciently, the next rib 9 will come into contact with the underlying surface, and as the ribs wear away from the outer rib inward, this will bring the successive ribs from the outer one into use, thereby continuing the advantage in having a new U-shaped rib on the tread of the heel, with the ends extending forwardly, to avoid slipping and to also provide for efi'ecitve resiliency in walking. The U-shaped ribs having their ends projecting forwardly will eifectively prevent forward sliding motion of theheel on a wet or slippery surface.

The ribs are provided at intervals between the ends thereof with transverse notches 12, which are in staggered relation, and which are of crescent shape, whereby such notches or slots will assist in preventing slipping in all directions.

The heel has nail holes 13 extending therethrough for nailing the heels to the shoe, and such holes 13 are located between two of the ribs, or between the ribs 8 and 9, as shown. Another nail hole 15 extends through the heel near the breast thereof, between the ends of the ribs. 7

It is also advantageous, both for purpose of resiliency and appearance, to provide the sides and rear ends of the heel with notches or recesses 16 located between the top and tread surfaces of the heel, whereby the marginal portion of the heel has greater resiliency, and for the additional purpose of giving the heel an attractive appearance in harmony with the prevailing practice of having ornamental perforations in the upper of the shoe.

The ribs can be of various sizes, but preferably of diminishing width and height from the outer to the inner rib, and the ribs can extend to the center of the heel, if preferred.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. A resilient heel having ribs on its tread surface, located one within the other, and of diminishing height to come into contact with the underlying surface one after the other from the outer rib inward as the ribs wear away.

2. A resilient heel having ribs on its tread surface located one within the other, and of diminishing height from the outer rib inward so that the ribs come into contact with the underlying surface one after the other from the outer rib inward as the ribs wear away, and each rib being ,.-'.-ovided at spaced intervals with transverse notches.

' on its tread surface located one within the other, and having their ends "extending to the breast of the heel, said ribs decreasing in height from the outer rib inward so as to come into contact with the underlying surface one after the other from the outer rib inward as the ribs wear away.

' 4. A resilient heel having a concave tread surface and a set of U-shaped ribs on said surface located one within the other and having their ends extending forwardly to thebreast of the heel, said ribs decreasing in height from the outer rib inward so as to "come into contact with the underlying sur- 15 face one, after the other from the outer rib inward as the ribs wear away, and each of the several ribs being in staggered relation. 20

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

LOUIS KAPLAN.

' Witness CELIo GREENFLELD. 

